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Long Beach Port Nets Data Systems Grant

[ July 24, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

The Port of Long Beach has received a US$7.88 million grant for the port’s data systems from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
Funding is expected to help build out a variety of functions including export and rail cargo visibility, user authentication and data security, the exchange of data between foreign ports, truck appointments and a future project enhancements that will enhance operational efficiency and customer service, the port said in a release.
The port’s Supply Chain Information Highway will enable stakeholders to make scheduling, planning and operational decisions prior to cargo arrival, making the delivery of goods more efficient and cost effective. The cloud-based system is anticipated to be compatible with similar data-sharing platforms across the maritime logistics industry, including at major California ports, supporting improved supply chain resilience, goods movement efficiency, emissions reductions, and economic competitiveness.
“With six marine terminals at the Port of Long Beach now connecting to a beta version of the Supply Chain Information Highway, we’ve entered a crucial phase of development,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “This funding will be important as we roll out these new enhancements to increase cargo velocity and tighten coordination across modes of transportation.”
The port’s data systems are free to registered users, with more than 200,000 shippers using it to plan and move cargo.
The Port of Long Beach has partnered with St. Louis-based tech firm UNCOMN, to create the Supply Chain Information Highway. UNCOMN is collaborating with Amazon Web Services to provide cloud services and cloud hosting for the data.
Development is focusing on three operational platforms in 2024:
• A Container track-and-trace feature to access up-to-date information about the status of containers moving through the port.
• The Port Operations Dashboard, where users can review operational metrics. The dashboard can be viewed at https://www.polb.com/operationsd.
• The Beneficial Cargo Owner Dashboard, where BCOs can access more detailed information about their containers including if they have arrived or departed, and which Port terminal they are located.

Port of Long Beach Records Strongest June

The Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest June on record, driven by consumer spending ahead of potential tariff increases and ongoing labor contract negotiations at seaports on the East and Gulf coasts.
Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 842,446 twenty-foot equivalent units in June, up 41.1 percent from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in June 2022 by 7,034 TEUs.
Imports jumped 53 percent to 419,698 TEUs, exports rose 4 percent to 98,300 TEUs, and empty containers moving through the Port increased 42.1 percent to 324,448 TEUs.
“We are recapturing market share and consumer spending is driving cargo to our docks as we head into the peak shipping season,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “I see modest growth for the second half of 2024 as we strengthen our competitiveness and continue to invest in our rail infrastructure projects that will maximize cargo velocity efficiently and sustainably for decades to come.”
The port has moved 4.29 million TEUs during the first half of 2024, up 15 percent from the same period last year.

Tags: Port of Long Beach